Reflection comes with lots of free time

I think I've determined why this hurt so much. I've been a Saints fan for a couple decades plus some. I am very used to watching the Saints disappoint. But in 2006, that changed. That didn't change however my expection for the worst to happen. There's always a little part of me, that knows a trap game will in fact, trap us. You know what I'm talking about. Games like Week 17 vs Culpeppers Vikings where we let him walk in after a fumbled snap for a 2 point conversion that knocked us out of the playoffs. Or the Bayou Miracle (or whatever they called it) only to fall short again. Winning the last four games of the season to finish 8-8, only to miss the playoffs because other teams didn't lose to help us.
Now we have an amazing front office, coaching staff and player roster who has brought us to the promised land and beyond. To where winning is expected and being let down is rarely a reality. This season, even after we lost to the freaking RAMS, I lost sight of the possibility of defeat. And while I certainly expect many more winning seasons and I maintain hopes of more Super Bowls, this season brought me back to reality. Last week was NOT an "Any Given Sunday" game. It was a bat game. Bring the wood. Theirs was stronger. And even though that wasn't the actual deciding factor late in the game, Our Defense and Their Offense is what decided the finality of our season.

People always say "I just wanna see a good game" and I reply with "That's ridiculous. I want to win by a dozen touchdowns." I want romps like Indy's where we outscored them by 50+. I think it may have been better to just lose outright. By a double digit score. But to be so close, only to have it stripped away.

I love my Saints. I am by no means a bandwagoner. I wore my Saints hat last Sunday and this Sunday for golf. I wear my jersey all day Sunday regardless of whether we win or lose. I'm already looking forward to the draft, free agency and training camps. I can't wait. But I felt I had to share this because this one hurt a little more than some of the others.

Yeah, hopefully he'll get more out of our defensive "stars" and bring in one guy who will give the defense a boost in attitude as well as some energy. I don't even know how much we lost this year with the lack of takeaways. But those are more than just an additional possession. They give momentum which is worth much more than the extra drive. We went 14-4 WITHOUT that!

You are not alone in your feelings. While I feel like you do; I make myself remember how good of a team we have now. Pre 2006; I don't have to wonder "If" we are going to have a good team this year. Let me get something off my chest... I HATE LOSING (Period). With that said; this Saints team no longer makes me wonder "If" we are going to have a good year. I know we are. The only "IF" now; is, do I cook Crawfish Chowder or Red Beans "IF" we go to the Super Bowl this year. For me, that's a good "IF" to ponder every year.